Former Panthers reunited

LAMONI — Two former Creston Panthers played roles in Grand View’s sweep of Graceland University Thursday in Heart of America Conference softball play.

Freshman first baseman Nevaeh Randall had a monster day at the plate as the Vikings’ starting first baseman in both games. Batting fourth in the Grand View lineup, Randall slugged two home runs to center field, accounting for four RBIs in the 9-3 victory to open the doubleheader. She followed that performance by going 2-of-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles in the 9-0 game two victory.

Randall’s torrid hot streak since moving into the starting lineup continued on Friday in a split with Missouri Valley College. Randall was 3-of-3 with a home run, double and four RBIs in a 9-0 victory. She hit her fifth home run of the season in the game two 3-2 loss, going 2-of-3 at the plate.

Sophomore utility player Gracie Hagle is getting more varsity time in her second year with the Vikings. The former Creston all-state shortstop has played left field and right field in a part-time role, and last week completed a stretch of five straight starts at second base when regular second baseman Kylie Merical was injured.

During that five-game stretch, Hagle hit a pair of doubles and drove in four runs. Both Randall and Hagle are errorless in the field for the Vikings, now 24-7 overall and 8-4 in conference play.

Between games Thursday, both former Panthers said it’s been nice to be on the field together after playing less than 30 feet from each other when Hagle was the Panther shortstop and Randall played third base. Last year, with Hagle at Grand View as a freshman, Randall moved to shortstop while becoming Creston’s all-time home run leader.

“I love playing with Nevaeh,” Hagle said. “She’s a great friend and everything, so I’m grateful we get to play again together.”

Randall said her former high school teammate was a nice connection on campus as she adjusted to the collegiate game. She plans to major in nursing, while Hagle is majoring in social work.

“I love it,” Randall said, about being reunited with Hagle. “Especially in getting started here, it was nice to have someone here I was familiar with, to get more comfortable. I look forward to the time we have here to play together.”

Hagle scored on Randall’s second home run of Thursday’s opener after lining a single to right field.

Coach Lou Yacinich Jr., whose father was the Southwestern Community College baseball coach before SWCC Hall of Famer Bill Krejci, offers glowing reports on the progress of both former Creston Panthers.

Randall moved into the starting lineup for the past 11 games with a bang, hitting a team-best .429 with five home runs (second on the team) and 14 RBIs in just 42 at-bats. She also has seven doubles and leads the squad with a .952 slugging percentage. She’s been on base nearly half of her plate appearances (.478).

“Nevaeh didn’t start the season in our lineup, but she has earned it,” Yacinich said. “She’s an athlete. She’s swinging the bat great, and did you see her run to second on that double?”

Randall is 3-of-3 in stolen base attempts this season.

Utility role

Hagle, meanwhile, fills a valuable role with her versatility, the Vikings coach said. While she was an infielder for the Panthers, Hagle often played in the outfield on her off-season club teams.

“Gracie came to us as a shortstop, and recently our starting second baseman hurt her shoulder so Gracie stepped in there,” Yacinich said. “Today our second baseman was able to come back, but Gracie has also played some outfield for us. She’s earned her spot (on the varsity) with a tremendous work ethic. Gracie is just a great teammate.”

Hagle has five starts this season, with 17 at-bats in 24 games, playing mostly left and right field along with some pinch-hitting appearances. She is batting .235 with two doubles, seven RBIs and four runs scored.

“I’ve been playing anywhere, but I would say second and outfield are my primary positions now,” Hagle said. “It was an adjustment to go back to the outfield, but it wasn’t that hard because I played outfield a lot in travel ball.”

Hagle and Randall said they’ve adjusted as hitters to the pitching they face on a regular basis in NAIA competition at Grand View.

“The coaches have been really helpful in breaking things down in my swing,” Hagle said. “In high school I was a big swinger, the swing was a lot longer than it is now. Now I know what kind of hitter I am, which is either singles or maybe a double. I’ve shortened it up.”

While Randall is still the power hitter she was for the Panthers, her swing has become quicker, as well.

“For a little while I wasn’t consistent, but every day I’m making strides,” Randall said of her freshman campaign. “Coach Yacinich does a really good job of breaking down swings. He trust in my power, but we’ve made minor adjustments to make it shorter and fit the higher level of pitching at the collegiate level. The ball is faster, so I have less movement in my swing.”

While Randall spent her Creston career on the left side of the infield, she’s found a home at first base for the Vikings. Her height and adept glove from years as a shortstop and third baseman fit the role perfectly.

“Right now the left side of our infield has super amazing athletes and they deserve everything they get,” Randall said. “Coach just kind of put me at first base and I got the hang of it.”

Postseason goals

Off to such a strong start, the team has high aspirations for a good postseason run. The top two teams receive automatic bids to enter NAIA national tournament play, and a wild card bid is also a possibility.

Regular starting pitchers Madi Huisman and Jessica Walljasper have each won 12 games this season, with sparkling ERAs of 1.55 and 1.88, respectively. Opponents are batting less than .220 against both. Walljasper also leads the team in home runs with eight.

“We didn’t make it last year, but we did go the year before when I wasn’t here,” Hagle said. “Honeslty, when we have it together, I think we can go far. When we’re in the rhythm of all being one, we’re great.”

“I think at the rate we’re going and the way we’ve produced (runs), I think this team can go to the national tournament and go far,” Randall said.

The Vikings began the week hosting Northwestern College today (Tuesday) before playing William Penn at home in a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday. The team travels to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri for two games on Sunday.